[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 7, April 19, 2023 ]
CONSTITUTING THE PHILIPPINE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE FOR THE EXPO 2025 OSAKA
WHEREAS, the Philippines has committed to participate in the World Expo 2025, to be held in Osaka, Kansai, Japan for the period of 13 April to 13 October 2025, to promote the Philippines in the international community as a tourism destination, and as one of the rising investment locations in the Asia Pacific Region;
WHEREAS, the Expo 2023 Osaka is an event that brings together people from around the world to address issues facing humankind on a global site, and presents breakthrough technologies, products, innovations and ideas to improve quality of life;
WHEREAS, with the theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," the Expo 2025 Osaka intends to approach complex issues through facilitating the participation of as many people as possible and bringing their ideas together to design a more exclusive and sustainable future for humankind;
WHEREAS, the participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka will also strengthen the bilateral relationship of the Philippines with Japan;
WHEREAS, there is a need to facilitate preparations for the Philippines' participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka through inter-agency coordination and collaboration; and
WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution provides that the President shall have control over all the executive departments, bureaus and offices, and ensure their laws are faithfully executed;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR., President of the Republic of the Philippines, by the virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:
Section 1. Creation of the Philippine Organizing Committee. The Philippine Organizing Committee (POC) for the participation of the Philippines in the Expo 2025 Osaka is hereby constituted, and shall be composed of the following:
| Chairperson and Commissioner-General | : |
Secretary, Department of Tourism |
| Vice-Chairperson | : |
Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry |
| Members | : |
Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs |
| Secretary, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) | ||
| Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment | ||
| Secretary, Department of Finance | ||
| Secretary, Department of Science and Technology | ||
| Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology | ||
| Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources | ||
| Secretary, Department of Health | ||
| Secretary, National Economic and Development Authority |
The POC members may designate their respective alternates to represent them in the committee. The alternate must have a ran not lower than an Assistant Secretary or its equivalent and must be fully authorized to decide on behalf of their respective principals. The designation of the alternates or representatives shall be in writing and must be submitted to the POC Secretariat.
The POC Secretariat shall undertake and oversee the overall preparations and day-to-day operations of the POC relative to the Philippines' participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka. The POC Secretariat shall be complemented by personnel of the DOT, with assistance from the member-agencies of the Committee.
Section 2. Authority and Functions of the POC. In pursuit of its objectives and subject to existing laws, the POC shall have the following authority and functions:
a. Formulate plans, programs and activities, as well as organize and manage requirements for the Philippines' participation in the the Expo 2025 Osaka;
b. Act as a coordinating body between the private sector and the govenrment to ensure that all programs and activities relative to the Expo 2025 Osaka are enforced;
c. Recommend or issue guidelines as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this Order;
d. Employ and utilize architectural designs that feature the ingenuity and resilience of the Filipino people;
e. Ensure the protection of government properties to be used in the Expo 2025 Osaka;
f. Accept and receive sponsorships, donations and other gratuitous transfers of funds or properties relevant to the activities of the Expo 2025 Osaka, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations;
g. Through the Chairperson and Commissioner-General, or her designated representative, enter into contracts and agreements deemed necessary for the attainment of the objectives of this Order;
h. Undertake marketing campaigns ad promotional activities, consistent with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, with the end in view of generating business, trade and investments, showcase Philippine heritage, culture and tourism destinations, as well as the ingenuity and resilience of the Filipino people; and
i. Perform any and all acts and functions as may be deemed appropriate and necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the POC.
Section 3. Chairperson and Commission-General. The Chairperson and Commissioner-General shall act as the Philippine focal person of the Expo 2025 Osaka, attend all activities that may be required by the organizers, and perform such other functions as may be necessary for the successful participation of the Philippines in the Expo 2025 Osaka.
Section 4. Meetings of the POC. The Chairperson and Commissioner-General, or her duly appointed representative, shall convene the meetings of the POC regularly and as often as may be necessary to ensure proper coordination relative to the Philippines' participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka.
Section 5. Agency Support. Consistent with their respective mandates, all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and government financial institutions, are hereby directed to render full assistance and cooperation to the POC to effectively carry out the objectives of this Order.
Section 6. Funding. The funds necessary for the initial year of implementation of this Order may be sourced from available appropriations of the concerned agencies, subject to applicable budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations. Thereafter, the funding requirements for the purpose shall be included in the budget proposals of the aforementioned agencies, subject to the usual budget preparation process.
Section 7. Administrative Guidelines. The POC shall issue the necessary administrative guidelines and implementing rules within the authority granted under this Order.
Section 8. Reports. The POC, through the Chairperson and Commissioner-General, shall submit to the Office of the President and the DBM quarterly reports of its accomplishments, not later than thirty (30) days after the end of every quarter, and a final report within sixty (60) days after the closing of the Expo 2025 Osaka. Such reports shall include the expenses, income generated, accomplishments, economic impact, and recommendations for future policy development and actions.
Section 9. Cessation. The POC shall be rendered functus officio sixty (60) days after the submission of its final report as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless otherwise ordered by the President.
Section 10. Repeal. All issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 11. Separability. If any provision of this Order is declared invalid, illegal or unconstitutional, the other portions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.
Section 12. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 19th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.
(SGD.) FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR
By the President:
(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary